If you are in Vietnam, one of the things that you must do is experience a Halong Bay luxury cruise. Vietnam is a rich and vibrant tapestry of experiences that encompass adventure, nature, culture, and heritage, however, a Halong Bay luxury cruise is one of the top things to do in Vietnam and must figure in your Vietnam itinerary.

Watching the monolithic limestone islands topped by bewitching greenery pass by as you indulge in the luxuries of your cruise is an experience beyond compare. During our 7-day Vietnam trip, we boarded the Ambassador Cruise for a short but sweet Halong Bay luxury cruise, it was a wonderful experience and we hope to be back for a longer cruise, maybe a 3-day cruise along Ha Long Bay, or at least an overnight cruise on Halong Bay. For those planning a Vietnam trip, we share our experience of the Halong Bay luxury cruise with Ambassador Cruise.

Halong Bay Luxury Cruise Vietnam

Hanoi was our first destination in Vietnam where we spent two and a half days before travelling to the next destination on our 7-day Vietnam itinerary. Of these, one entire day was reserved for a Halong Bay cruise. However, we felt that even one day was not enough to enjoy the experience of a luxury cruise on Ha Long Bay Vietnam.

Why Do A Halong Bay Luxury Cruise?

Why is Halong Bay such a sought-after place? Is there more to it than being pampered by the luxuries of a cruise and the presence of stunning landscapes? Why is Halong Bay a UNESCO World Heritage Site? These are some of the many questions that would surely pop into anyone’s mind as they did in ours. We had seen stunning images and flattering Halong Bay reviews and were indeed happy to get a chance to experience the beauty of this intriguing site first-hand. So here is a brief about the significance of Halong Bay, its geographical and historical importance and also the legend of Halong Bay.

Ha Long Bay is spread over a massive area of 1,533 square kilometres and is dotted with 1,99 islets, most of which are limestone. It is fascinating to note that the limestone islets have undergone 500 million years of formation in diverse environments and climatic conditions. Over the last 20 million years, these islets have developed into Karsts, a unique topography with underground caves, sinkholes, and poljes (flat-floored depressions).

Hạ Long Bay is part of a larger zone which includes Bai Tu Long Bay to the northeast, and Cát Bà Island to the southwest. Many endemic species of flora and fauna are found here.

Ha Long Bay is an integral part of the history and mythology of Vietnam. It has been the first line of defence of the country against sea invasions by intruders across the timeline of history and the stage of many a war. Evidence of prehistoric settlements has been found around Ha Long Bay. According to Vietnamese legend, when Vietnam was threatened by enemies who had taken the sea route to attack the country, the Gods sent a family of dragons to assist them in the war.

The dragons are believed to have spat out diamonds and jade which miraculously turned into mountains of rock, which together formed an impregnable wall. The enemy ships crashed against these rocks and were destroyed. After victory in the war, the dragons settled in the same place. The place where the Mother Dragon had landed came to be known as Ha Long, which means, “Descending Dragon.”

Boarding The Ambassador Cruise Vietnam – Halong Bay Luxury Cruise

We left Silk Path Hotel in Hanoi, where we were staying early in the morning for Ha Long City, which is around 178 kilometres from Hanoi. There are many hotels also in this city where you can stay. This would make visiting Ha Long Bay more convenient.

After about a two-and-a-half-hour drive, we reached the Halong International Cruise Port. We had cups of coffee in the spacious lounge before an electric golf cart took us to the jetty to board the Ambassador Cruise.

There were many huge ships lined up hull-to-hull at the port. We proceeded to a huge ship that had the words, “Ambassador Cruise,” written boldly across it.

After settling in with a huge mug of special Vietnamese Cold Coffee, we were given the keys to our cabin where we could rest, while watching the spectacular limestone islands of Halong Bay from the balcony.

We were excited to take a round of the Ship and the Upper and Lower decks with Mr Waseem Ahmed, Operations Manager.

Ambassador Cruise Ha Long – Halong Bay Luxury Cruise

The Ambassador Cruise has currently three options for enjoying the wonders of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Halong Bay. One is a Day Cruise, the second is a Dinner Cruise, and the third option is a Halong Bay Overnight Cruise From Hanoi which again has a 2 Days 1 Night cruise as well as a 3 Days 2 Nights cruise. The 3 Cruise options are:

• 1-Day Cruise
• Dinner Cruise
• 2 Days 1 Night Cruise

All the cruises are on huge luxury ships that are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. These include luxury accommodations, deluxe restaurants, an Open-air Jacuzzi Pool, Sun Decks, and a Spa.

Halong Bay Day Tour From Hanoi – Halong Bay Luxury Cruise

As we were on a Halong Bay Tour From Hanoi, and had only a day to spare, we were on the Day Cruise of Ambassador Cruises Halong Bay.

The Halong Bay Vietnam cruise was on a huge and immaculate-looking Ship of Ambassador Cruise. We fell in love with the ship right from the word go. It had two luxurious restaurants, two sundecks, a Jacuzzi, and could carry 500 passengers.

Accommodation On Halong Bay Day Trip From Hanoi – Halong Bay Luxury Cruise

One of the unique advantages of doing the Halong Bay Tour on a day cruise with Ambassador Cruise is that you also get to relax in the luxury of your cabin. We loved our room which was located on the first deck. It was a spacious room equipped with a double bed. There was an en-suite bathroom with premium toiletries. There was also an LCD TV, which we never turned on. And best of all, there was a lovely balcony in which you could watch the stunning landscapes of Vietnam Halong Bay.

Though our day was packed, we did manage to spend some quiet moments in the luxury of our room on the Ambassador Cruise and watch the golden glow of the sun going down behind the Limestone Karsts of Ha Long Bay.

Food On Ambassador Cruise Ha Long

Food aboard the Ambassador Cruise is a celebration for the palate. The spacious restaurants elegantly designed provide the ideal backdrop for some amazingly fine cuisine. Onboard chefs curate some of the finest array of dishes from a palette of world cuisine that encompasses Japanese, Chinese, Continental, Korean, and of course local Vietnamese cuisine.

However, what surprised us and made us rejoice was that they had Indian cuisine too, especially to cater for Indian guests.

The lunch buffet was a massive spread of starters, salads, soups, and desserts, followed by multi-cuisine main dishes. Though the dishes were primarily leaning towards non-vegetarians and especially seafood, there was a lot on offer for Vegetarians and Vegans also. We enjoyed our Indian cuisine consisting of Dal, Rotis, Samosas, and much more. We also enjoyed vegetarian Sushi and had lots and lots of desserts and fruits including our favourite Dragon Fruit. All this was washed down with fine Vietnamese coffee and exotic mocktails, considering that we are teetotallers.

Activities on Halong Bay Luxury Cruise – Ambassador Cruise Halong Bay Itinerary

A Halong Bay Luxury Cruise is not all about relaxing on deck and being pampered with great food and drink, as you watch the mesmerizing landscapes unfold. Of course, if you so prefer, you need not step out of the ship.

You can spend time at the Spa or in the Jacuzzi, or just laze around on the sundeck. You can click pictures at the lovely Glass Bridge that stretches out into the sea, and recreate the classic scene from the movie Titanic, if you so wish.

However, for those who wish to explore the mysteries of the intriguing limestone islets of Ha Long Bay, there is so much more to do.

Halong Bay Luxury Cruise – Sung Sot Cave Exploration

We had read a lot about the incredible caves of Halong Bay and were eager to experience them first-hand. An excursion to the Sung Sot Cave, also known as Surprising Cave or Surprise Cave, was part of our Day Cruise with Ambassador Cruise. We boarded a smaller boat that took us to the island of Bo Hon. This island is home to the largest of the caves, Sung Sot, as well as another important cave.

After disembarking from the boat, we walked a few metres from where steps led up a hill. When we visited, the place was crowded and there was a queue to get into the caves. We climbed some 50-odd steps and turned back to take a look at the view below, it was stunning, the boats framed against the gleaming water and the intriguing limestone islets.

From this point, we had to descend another 20-odd steps and we were in a huge cavern. We were about 25 metres above sea level, and this huge chamber inside the womb of the limestone mountain was, to say the least, very surprising. No wonder, the French, who discovered the Sung Sot Cave in the year 1901, called it, “Grotte des Surprises,” and the Vietnamese called it Sung Sot, which in the Vietnamese language literally means, surprise.

Inside the Sung Sot caves, it is a totally surreal atmosphere, nature has sculpted weird shapes that remain open to interpretation by the human imagination. The Sung Sot Cave is not one, but two interconnected caverns or chambers. The first chamber is named, “Waiting Room,” and multicoloured lights and the array of stalactites and stalagmites conjure together to create a dreamy ambience.

From the first chamber, a narrow path led to the second chamber. As there were a lot of people, it took us some time to negotiate this and reach the second chamber. This chamber has been appropriately named, “Serene Castle.” It was a large space with a high ceiling and was covered with strange-looking rock formations. The play of light on the rock formations was enough to set your imagination flying.

We took a path that wound through the 10,000 square metres that the cave covers. The experience was unique and we left the mysterious caverns of the Sung Sot cave to descend to the Bo Hon island, and from there boarded a boat to head back to the Ambassador Cruise ship.

Halong Bay Luxury Cruise – Titov Island Hiking/Swimming

If you are not in for a climb and a long walk that the Sung Sot Cave entails, you can head to Titov Island also known as Titop Island. From the Sung Sot Caves, on our way back to the Ambassador cruise ship, we also halted at Titov Island which is opposite Bon Hon Island.

The island is named after Gherman Stepanovich Titiov, a Russian Cosmonaut, who along with the then President of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, had visited it in the year 1962.

The island has a beautiful and seemingly untouched crescent-shaped beach. It is a small island and is dominated by a limestone hill. You can also trek to the top of the hill for a panoramic view of Halong Bay and its treasures. You need to negotiate around 450 steps to reach the summit which is at a height of 360 feet, but the effort is rewarding. You can swim in the gentle waves that wash the white sands, or choose to relax on the beach. We spent some quiet moments on the beach before heading back to our ship,

Halong Bay Luxury Cruise – Luon Cave Kayaking

We had returned to the Ambassador Cruise ship after exploring Sung Sot caves and Titov Island. We had a sumptuous lunch on board and relaxed for about 30 minutes in the luxurious confines of our cabin, before heading to one of the most exciting adventures of Halong Bay. Our destination – Luon Cave.

The Luon Cave is the smallest of the caves in Halong Bay and is also located off Bo Hon Island. Our boat moored at the jetty of the island. From there we took a bamboo boat, rowed by a local, which seated around 15 people. If you wish you can also hire a Kayak to visit the cave.

As our boat began its way to the Luon Cave, we could see what looked like an impregnable wall of huge limestone mountains in the distance. We were headed straight towards the mountain cluster. On closer observation, we could see at the bottom of one of the mountains, a small opening. Boats and Kayaks were coming out of this opening, and we too were headed towards it. This was the entrance to the Luon Cave.

We rowed towards the entrance of Luon Cave, which was an opening of around 3 to 4 metres, enough to let the boat pass. It was a thrilling moment as we entered the cave. The walls of the cave and the ceiling had rocks which were of all conceivable shapes and sizes, another example of the work of the genius sculpting skills of nature. We emerged into a beautiful green lake, a heaven that nature had created, enclosed by the limestone karsts. The tranquil lake was an embodiment of peace, which was broken by the delighted squeals and shrieks of awe-struck tourists, who had flocked to view this masterpiece of nature.

The cave itself is filled with stagmalites and exotic vegetation adorns the sides of the mountains that surround it. The Luon Cave has its own unique ecosystem consisting of verdant plants, huge trees, orchids, and last but not least, a diverse marine water ecosystem.

After enjoying the spectacular landscape inside the Luon Cave we slowly rowed out of the arched entrance and reached the jetty from where we boarded another boat to reach our Ambassador Cruise ship.

The western horizon was tinged with a tint of gold as our ship made its way towards the Halong International Cruise Port, from where we had started our cruise in the morning. It had been an amazing experience and one that ranked high in our personal list of top travel experiences across the world, but like all good things, it had to come to an end, it had been a day filled with adventure and views of stunning landscapes. An experience that we will forever treasure in our hearts.

How To Reach Halong Bay To Experience Halong Bay Luxury Cruise

Ha Long Bay is located in the Quảng Ninh province of North Vietnam. The nearest cities to Ha Long Bay are Halong Bay City and Hanoi City.

• Hanoi To Halong Bay distance is about 172 kilometres
• The distance of the Halong International Cruise Port from where you board your ship for the Halong Bay Cruise is about 156 kilometres from Hanoi City
• The drive from Hanoi to Halong International Cruise Port takes around 2.5 to 3 hours
• Ha Long Bay is about 1,86 kilometres from Ho Chi Minh City
• Halong Bay is about 900 kilometres from Da Nang

You can reach the Halong International Cruise Port to board your Halong Bay luxury cruise by a private vehicle hired cab, or also public shuttle buses that are available from My Dinh Bus Station in Hanoi.

If you are planning a trip to Vietnam, you can book your flight to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City right here through Cleartrip or Makemytrip or CheapAir or Priceline .

Where To Stay In Halong Bay

We stayed at the Hotel Silk Path in the Old Quarter area of Hanoi and visited Halong Bay on a day trip. You can stay in any of the hotels in Hanoi and go for the Halong Bay Cruise From Hanoi. You can also stay in one of the many luxury hotels in Halong Bay city. This would be of great convenience for your Halong Bay Luxury Cruise.

You can book the Silk Path Hotel or any hotel in Hanoi, any hotel in Halong Bay, or anywhere in Vietnam right here through any of the below options, at the location of your choice here – TripAdvisor or Cleartrip or  makemytrip or  goibibo or  Booking.com or  HotelsCombined or  Agoda and save a lot by getting the best deals on booking your stay.

Booking Halong Bay Luxury Cruise

Skip the line and book a 5-star day cruise in Halong Bay – the Ambassador Day Cruise or book any of the Halong Bay Cruise of your choice right here:

Halong Bay Photos

Here are some unforgettable images of Halong Bay – photos taken from Halong Bay Luxury Cruise. Of course, the beauty of the place is such that it cannot be captured by the eye of the camera. It is something that you capture with your eyes and store in your heart to be remembered again and again.

Halong Bay Luxury Cruise FAQ

What is the Halong Bay to Hanoi distance?
The distance from Hanoi to Halong Bay is about 172 kilometres.

What is so special about Halong Bay Viet Nam?
Halong Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that consists of hundreds of Limestone islets that seem to rise dramatically from the ocean.

Does Halong Ambassador Cruise have an overnight cruise?
Yes, Ambassador Cruise has overnight cruises, there is one which is 2 days and 1 night and another which is 3 days and 2 nights.

Where can I do Halong Cruise Booking?

If you are looking to book the Ambassador Cruise, you can do it on their website. The Halong Bay Tours is also a comprehensive resource for Halong Bay Cruise booking.

What is the cost of a Halong Bay Luxury Cruise?
The cost depends on the type of cruise and the package that you choose. There are day cruises, overnight cruises, honeymoon cruises, family cruises and much more.

We hope you loved our post about our experience of the Ambassador Halong Bay Luxury Cruise. We would like to reiterate here that you must include a Halong Bay cruise when you plan your own Vietnam Itinerary. Do read our post about our entire Vietnam travel experience in our post, “7 Day Vietnam Itinerary.”

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Our visit to Vietnam in Southeast Asia was organized by Vietnam Airlines to promote tourism in Vietnam. The views and opinions expressed in this blog post are our own. #Vietnam #HalongBay #HalongBayCruise #AmbassadorCruise

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